The Feasibility and Challenges of Conducting Online Research to Examine Movement Behavior in Parents and Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The global pandemic of COVID-19 shifted the methodology of this research project. The purpose of this perspective article is to discuss the feasibility and challenges of converting an in-person mixed methods study that examined associations among and beliefs about physical activity, motor competence, and perceived competence to an online format with parents and children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recruitment was conducted through a University research registry, social media, and public listservs. All correspondence with participants was through email and secure platforms. Physical activity was assessed with accelerometers mailed to participants. Motor competence was assessed through participant-filmed trials of motor skills. Perceived competence was assessed with the Self-Perception Profile for Adults and Children delivered on Qualtrics. Semi- structured interviews to examine beliefs were conducted over Zoom. Approximately 200 families expressed interest in the study, 76 parent-child dyads consented and assented, and 61 parent-child dyads completed at least one component of the study. It is feasible to conduct online research that contributes to scientific knowledge and has potential advantages. However, various challenges need to be considered regarding the application of online research. These challenges included recruitment, the data collection process, and data quality. Future research needs to address these challenges by utilizing wide-reaching and diverse recruitment methods, easing participants' burden with technology, and developing motor competence and perceived competence assessments that can be administered online. The way research was conducted changed due to COVID-19 and adapting to and/or integrating online methods is both necessary and feasible, but modifications must be taken into consideration.

Psychometric Properties of the Online International Physical Activity Questionnaire in College Students

“…During the pandemic, public health services and scientists are choosing to conduct data collection research remotely [ 1 ]. However, several challenges for remotely measuring behaviors related to movement exist, including recruitment and data quality [ 19 ]. The aim of the study was to test the reliability and validity of the online version of a large-scale international physical activity monitoring tool among college students from low-income regions.…”

Associations Between Physical Activity and Gross Motor Skills in Parent–Child Dyads

“…Recruitment and data collection protocols were conducted from July to November, 2020. The specifics of the online study protocol are found in Scott-Andrews et al (2022). Parent-child dyads (children ages 8-11 years) were recruited online through laboratory websites, social media, and public listservs to participate in this study.…”

“…Parent participants were emailed directions on how to perform four different motor skills (i.e., catch, kick, throw, and jump) at home and film their performance for both themselves and their child. For each motor skill (i.e., catch, throw, kick, and jump), the participants were first instructed to watch the motor skill's corresponding multimedia demonstration found on a specific YouTube channel provided by the study team (Scott-Andrews et al, 2022). The multimedia demonstration elicited the participants' execution of the motor skill in a manner such that scoring using both process and product scoring assessments was justified (i.e., correct demonstration of execution of the jump with the corresponding instruction, "Jump as far as you can.").…”

“…This study was an exploratory study of online research, as it was converted to online amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and utilized newly developed methods. Due to the online nature of this study, there were major limitations with recruitment, data collection, and data quality (Scott-Andrews et al, 2022). The recruitment methods did not reach a representative sample across the state of Michigan, and we JMLD Vol.…”

“…Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that began in March 2020, the way we lived and conducted research was significantly altered. This research study was conducted online, using novel methods to ensure safety for the researchers and participants (Scott-Andrews et al, 2022). The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between physical activity and gross motor skills in parent-child dyads using objective measurements and remote methods.…”